Epic Swing Day 8 - Wind River Canyon 05May19

The Wind River is not a typical tailwater and I didn’t treat the canyon section as such but continued with the mini-leech and baetis. I did well in the morning but lost a couple of fish including a huge brown… the canyon is difficult getting down the bank and then just as difficult dancing on the rocks in order to move (to fight a good fish) - the beast got below me in a washing machine with too much line out and my not being able to give chase. I did catch a very nice and strong male 20” rainbow with very kype jaw.  The rainbow took the mercury head FBPT beatis and I think the escaping beast took the leech. I have not figured this place out and just have tonight and tomorrow to so do. Plus, it was a bit unlucky too not only loosing these fish but I also lost my special Abel nippers and my split shot. Maybe it’s the flows or maybe it’s just hard - ‘cause I know it can’t be me. :) This place is very cool none the less - 2500 ft cliffs, train on one side and the highway on the other of a raging canyon river of pocket water make it a little noisy, especially in the CG - but pretty.

Epic Swing Day 7 - Wind River 04May19

Yesterday was repair & moving day as the generator failed and I had to go to Thermopolis for tools and parts and on the way I found a much nicer campground below Boysen Dam on the river... so I moved. I also got my license to fish on the Wind River Rez ($70 for the year for a senior versus $40/day or $90 for 7 days). Today I hit an area known as Wedding Of The Waters where the Wind River exists the canyon and its name changes to Bighorn River. It was a very nice day and a big fish day for me as I spied and caught a nice 22” brown. He took a mini-leech pattern I learned from Landon Mayer. I didn’t do much else this AM - Unfortunately flows were bumped 3 days ago and the river is “snotty” with a lot of weeds cut loose. The Wind River Canyon is a lot like the BHSC but the cliffs are steeper and higher - its very pretty. When in Thermopolis I checked the hot springs terracing that lends itself to the town’s name.